Investing in defense startups requires a unique approach due to the sector's specific challenges and market dynamics.Military customers prioritize technologies that provide immediate combat impact over futuristic tech.Integration with existing systems and procurement plans is crucial for defense tech startups to succeed.Patience is key in the defense industry, as converting great products into revenue can take years.Successful defense startups map their products to existing requirements and infrastructure of target customers.Navigating the procurement bureaucracy and having a strong go-to-market strategy are vital for defense startup success.Defense tech must fit into a larger operational puzzle to be adopted; standalone products may struggle to gain traction.Exits in defense usually involve going public or selling to prime contractors, with IPOs requiring substantial scale and growth.Defense primes strategically evaluate acquisitions based on the potential to secure lucrative contracts.Acquisition by a prime contractor is common for defense startups filling critical capability gaps.